That's Fit

There's something about cell phones that make medical alarm bells ring. Do you remember the reports of cell phones causing cancer? How about the dangers of exploding cell phone batteries? Now there's a new risk factor -- researchers are saying that cell phone usage during pregnancy can cause hyperactivity and emotional or behavioral issues in children.

Over 13,000 mothers in Denmark were surveyed -- some didn't use a cell phone at all, others used one sporadically, and a third group used their cells often during pregnancy. Their results indicate that using a cell phone as little as two to three times a day during pregnancy can cause health issues -- hyperactivity, conduct issues, emotional issues, or difficult with relationships -- for the children. What's more, if the children used cell phones themselves before age 7 they were 80% more likely to have behavioral issues.

Revolution Health has a new interactive tool, momScore, that ranks states based on the accessibility and quality of maternal health care. To determine the score, a team of health experts compared state-to-state criteria including:

• Access to prenatal care
• Maternal mortality
• Risk of pregnancy complications
• Childcare availability per capita
• Infant mortality
• Air quality
• Violent crime rate
• Access to health insurance
• Affordability of children's health insurance
• Mandatory paid leave policy
  

You can check your state's score overall or by specific health topic. My state ranked roughly in the middle, which was what I expected to see. Where does your state rank?

Long gone are the days when pregnant women were expected to rest and eat for two. Research shows that, among other benefits, a fit and active pregnancy leads to a healthier heart -- for both mom and baby. A recent study had 10 pregnant women engage in varying levels of physical activity. Both the mother's and baby's responses were monitored. Fetuses whose mothers exercised had significantly lowered heart rates. The heart health benefits were evident at all tested stages of gestation.

If you're pregnant, check with your OB/GYN before beginning an exercise routine. But for most pregnant women low-impact activity is recommended. Walking, yoga, and swimming are great choices for physical activity -- they're low impact, get your heart rate up, and are relatively safe activities. BabyCenter has more ideas for activity during pregnancy.

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Dear Fitz. I am nine weeks pregnant and I have been on a very disciplined work out routine ever since I had my little girl in 2004. I had weighed 210 pounds when I gave birth, so in essence I'd gained 70 pounds! I was 140 when I got pregnant. I am bound and determined not to get fat this time, but most importantly I want to be healthy and happy when I give birth in March of 2008. I do at least 40 minutes of cardio most days. Twenty minutes of walking, and stairs for another twenty. I stretch and do yoga moves like the snake and the bridge, which is pretty much a back bend. I feel so much better when I do this, but I'm afraid of harming the baby. Any advice?

A. First of all, I'm thrilled you're making fitness a priority this time around. Creating and carrying a human is hard work and it certainly is best for the both of you if you maintain a healthy home....you being " the home"! Your cardiovascular routine sounds great, and my only advice as you continue is to listen to your body. That baby comes first. Your booty comes second. If you ever experience pain, dizziness or excessive fatigue while exercising, stop immediately. If it bothers you, don't do it. Also monitor your heart rate. If you're huffing and puffing too much, your core temperature will rise...which is not good for your child. Train at a consistent moderate to low pace.

As far as the back bends go.....I'd follow the same rules. What feels fine at nine weeks, is probably not going to feel fine at 17 weeks. I'm usually uber fit fitness trainer/athlete chic, but as both of my pregnancies progressed I simply had to cut certain exercises out. I imagine the back bend is eventually going to wean itself out of your routine. As always, check with your doctor before pursuing anything, Everyone's pregnancies are different and only your OB knows your personal needs and limits. You didn't mention it, but I'm sure you're eating nutritiously as well. Food is for fuel. Nourish your overworked body, and nourish that baby. Pay attention to what you put in your mouth, and come this March you'll be thrilled with both your spectacular infant and your fit body too. Best Wishes! Fitz

FItz. I am an active girl who eats very healthy, but can't seem to lose the last five pounds. Any suggestions? Mary

How much you weighed at birth may still be having an effect on your life, specifically in how successful and healthy you are as an adult. This information comes from a good sized study that looked at more than 12,000 people over a period of 35+ years. The findings show that people who weighed less than 5.5 lbs. at birth are one-third more likely to drop out of high school, make an average of 15 percent less income each year, and have the health of someone over 40 years old when they're only in their thirties.

There are all kinds of theories out there on why this is, the most popular one linking low-income parents and poor prenatal care to low birth-weight outcomes, which in turn means the child is at increased risk due to being raised in an underprivileged environment. What do you think? Is this true?

As stressful and tense as work is for most of us, you'd think massages would be more common. I'm sure it doesn't help that there are so many different kinds available, or that it's a little intimidating to walk into a massage facility (usually a spa or healthcare setting) and try to figure out what exactly you want. And since they're not exactly cheap, it would really suck to end up with a style you didn't like.

But massages are getting more and more common, and these days massages aren't just for relaxing -- people are now seeking them out to treat health issues. Many people, including office workers and corporate leaders, are using massages as a treatment for repetitive strain injuries, chronic pain, and generalized discomfort related to too much time spent working at a desk and on the computer (not to mention stress). Patients are talking with their doctors about treatment options for these issues and doctors are actually recommending and prescribing massages. And as the pile of medical evidence grows in regard to conditions helped or relieved by massage, more and more insurance companies are stepping up to offer coverage. The proof? The number of people who reported having massages that were covered by insurance doubled (from 5% to 10%) between 2005 and 2006.

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. I'm trying to lose weight in my thighs. I do tons of leg exercises but haven't seen any results. Have a suggestion? -- Darlene

A. Yes yes yes! I have the solution to your problem. You can't lose weight in your thighs! That is ... you can't lose weight ONLY in your thighs. Spot reduction is a myth, and no matter how many leg lifts you do, you will never be able to see shrinkage in only one part of your body. The secret to shrinking those thighs are to shrink everything. Just strive to lose some weight. Eat fewer calories and burn a lot more. When we lose weight we lose it everywhere. Legs, arms, back, bum, face, and feet. Some people tend to lose weight in certain areas first, but we certainly can't choose that. Good old genetics made that choice long ago.

If your legs are your area of choice to focus on, well go right ahead. Continuing to do lower body strength training will only allow your legs to look curvier and stronger as you burn the fat. Again, focus on getting sweaty to burn lots of calories. Consume fewer calories and choose a high percentage of fruits, veggies and lean meat. You'll be loving your legs (and other parts too) in no time!

Q. I'm about six weeks pregnant. I'll soon be taking prenatal yoga but is it okay to continue with more strenuous activity like weight-lifting and running? -- Elizabeth

A. Congratulations! Motherhood is amazing, and I'm grateful you're taking your health seriously. Prenatal yoga is terrific, and I definitely encourage you to continue both cardiovascular and strength training throughout your pregnancy too. Strenuous exercise however, I do not recommend. Jogging at a slow or moderate pace is great if you were doing so before you became pregnant. If you're accustomed to it, you'll be able to control your breathing and avoid becoming overheated. Same goes for strength training. Do what you were doing pre-pregnancy, but don't jump into anything new and exhausting.

Pregnancy can be hard, and that sweet little life inside of you is fairly fragile. You are 100% right in choosing to remain fit and strong during these 40 weeks. It will help you avoid many nasty side effects of excessive weight gain, and make your delivery a heck of a lot easier. You just have to be smart. Listen to your body. If you feel like you're becoming breathless, slow down. If you're straining a ton while strength training decrease your load.

Aim to exercise frequently at a moderate pace. If you feel an "ouch" pain or something feels weird, slow down or stop. It's simply not worth it to push hard for the day. Definitely avoid contact sports or activities which you could risk falling, or colliding with anything. Think big picture at all times. Healthy baby. Healthy baby. Talk with your doctor before you do anything and visit this website to get more information.

I've experienced two spectacularly fit pregnancies of my own and I wouldn't change a thing. I made healthy eating choices daily, and exercised most days of the week. I also took a bunch of good naps. My pace slowed down a ton towards the end, but that was fine. I was grateful to just keep moving, and as a result I popped right back into shape once my children were born. Good luck to you both and enjoy creating a healthy home for your little bean. What better could you be?

Punches & Kicks,
Fitz

Note: The content presented on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.

Recently there has been talk about how having a healthy mouth and assertive treatment for gum problems can have a direct impact on your cardiovascular health. Well now it seems that your blood vessels aren't the only (seemingly) unrelated part of your body that is effected by how healthy your mouth is: women with gum disease are at an increased risk for premature birth of their babies, as well as low birth weight.

Unfortunately, they have yet to determine how treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy affects the outcome, so it looks like being proactive and starting your pregnancy healthy is your best bet. Isn't it always?

Pregnant women face a higher rate of serious injury, mostly due to falls and motor vehicle accidents, than previously thought -- according to new information the risk may be as much as twice as high. Over 16,000 cases were studied, and after fractures and sprains came poisoning, often self-inflicted due to pregnancy-related depression or simple ignorance regarding medications.

Doctor's are recommending information as the best solution, citing prenatal (as opposed to just postpartum) mental health screenings, and education on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations regarding exercise and activity during pregnancy.